Common Dental Problems in Kids

Even if your kids practice good oral health, they may still face dental problems.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to model good oral care and hygiene habits to your children. However, even if your kids practice good oral health, they may still face dental problems. Fortunately, the most common dental problems in kids are not serious and are typically easy to resolve. Here is some information about the most common dental problems in children.

Cavities and Tooth Decay

Baby teeth require just as much oral care as adult teeth. The enamel of baby teeth is not as strong as the enamel of adult teeth. Sugar will attack the enamel of the teeth, which will lead to decay. The enamel of baby teeth is about 50 percent thinner than the enamel of adult teeth. Therefore, when the process of decay starts, the damage is more severe and occurs more quickly. If this decay and damage is left untreated, it can lead to a cavity. It is essential that you take your child to the dentist on a regular basis to stop tooth decay in its tracks.

Gum Disease

Believe it or not, young children can also suffer from gingivitis. Therefore, it is important that your children practice good oral health to reduce the amount of plaque. An accumulation of plaque that is untreated can cause your children’s gums to swell up and bleed when touched. Swollen and bleeding gums are the beginning of gingivitis, which is also referred to as gum disease. Gingivitis is fairly common among children and can be improved through regular cleaning and improved brushing.

Thumb Sucking

While thumb sucking may appear to be an innocent habit, it can cause your children to suffer from dental problems in the future. Thumb sucking places pressure on the baby teeth and cause them to push forward. This can lead to tooth removal or braces.

If you believe your child is suffering from a dental problem, a trip to the dentist and better oral care will likely resolve the issue. For more information about common dental problems in children, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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About Us

Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team is a pediatric dental office located in Stafford, VA. We also service the areas of Quantico, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, Falmouth, and King George. We specialize in dentistry just for kids! Come in and meet Dr. Payam today!